News From Congressman Eliot Engel

ENGEL STATEMENT FOLLOWING VISIT TO GUATEMALA

  Representative Eliot L. Engel, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, made the following statement following his visit to Guatemala as part of a congressional delegation:

“I joined Speaker Pelosi and a bipartisan delegation in Guatemala where we focused on the root causes that drive child and family migration to the United States. It continues to be clear to me that U.S. assistance to the Northern Triangle has been transformative and must be immediately restored.

“It was particularly moving to meet with the staff of the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) whose work I have supported since the very start because of its efforts to fight corruption. While I am disappointed that CICIG’s mandate is not being renewed, I urge the Guatemalan government and judicial sector to ensure that the Commission’s efforts to end impunity continue in the months and years ahead.

“I am pleased by Guatemala’s preparations for Sunday’s presidential run-off and urge a free, fair process to move forward.

“The future of Guatemala’s democracy will depend on a commitment to fighting corruption and respecting the rule of law. Ultimately, this how we ensure that children and families are not forced to make the dangerous trek north—not by cutting off U.S. assistance.”

Background

Earlier this year, Chairman Engel introduced the United States-Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act (H.R. 2615) to restore foreign assistance to Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. The legislation passed the House on July 15.

Engel Introduces Legislation to Protect Seniors from Wasteful Drug Spending

  Congressman Eliot L. Engel introduced legislation today to protect Medicare beneficiaries from wasteful spending on excessively large single-use drug vials.

Each year, Medicare and private health plans waste about $3 billion on cancer medications that are packaged in oversized vials. This packaging gives patients far more medication than they need, forcing seniors and others to pay for unnecessary drugs. Many of these same medications are sold abroad in smaller vials, producing savings for individuals and their health care systems. The Recovering Excessive Funds for Unused and Needless Drugs (REFUND) Act would enable seniors and the Medicare program to recoup money wasted on oversized drug vials.

“There are about 100,000 NY-16 constituents with Medicare drug coverage, many of whom live on fixed incomes,” Rep. Engel said. “The reality is that many of these seniors do not have money lying around, after paying for groceries and rent, to spend on extra medication that will ultimately be tossed in the trash. The REFUND Act will put money back in the pockets of seniors and beneficiaries while improving Medicare’s solvency so that it is available for our children and grandchildren.”

The REFUND Act builds on Congressman Engel’s work to improve seniors’ programs. In June 2019, he introduced the Guaranteed 3 Percent COLA for Seniors Act, H.R. 3389, which would guarantee every seniora reasonable Social Security cost-of-living adjustment and an increase of at least three percent.

Congressman Engel is a top member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee.